I embrace the earliest opportunity to acquaint you of our safe & happy arrival at this place after a Passage of 28 days. I scarcely conceive it possible at any Season of the year to have a more delightful Voyage; we got soundings on the 21st: day after our departure, and arrived at Deal on the 28th: in London the 29th: exactly four weeks from the day of Embarkment at Boston. With a fast sailing vessel we should probably have made a much shorter passage, for during the first 23 days, we had not six hours unfavorable wind— With such good fortune the Atlantic Ocean would become a much less formidable object; I thought myself quite an experienced Navigator compared with some on board, particularly our Servant, who was during the greater part of the time rather in need of attendance, than capable of affording any. My Brother scarcely lost his appetite, and our fellow Passenger Mr: Walker was as little indisposed as myself.1 “It is a good Bridge (says the proverb) that carries you safe over”; our Ship, tho’ old, leaky, & weak has brought us in a short time & in perfect safety, upon this principle she deserves our commendation; we might have gone further & fared worse.

Since my arrival, I have scarcely been able to do any thing of consequence; if the novelty of the scene into which I have entered does not confuse my ideas too much, I shall be able perhaps at an early period to commence the subject of Politic’s, at present I can attempt only to give the flying rumors of the day, without being able to distinguish the degree of probability due to any of them.

The French have within three months past, been successful beyond calculation; they have penetrated into Holland, much farther than at any former period; they have taken Bois-le-duc, Crevecœur &ca within a fortnight past, and the general apprehension here seems to be, that they will in a short time, be in possession of Amsterdam— The Stadtholder is at present invested with absolute power, & the only question seems to be, whether he shall capitulate for his Country & surrender it under the best terms he can make to the French, or make the attempt to save it by inundation—a measure to which we are told the Dutch are less inclined at this moment, than at any former period—2

There is a rumor of a Battle having been fought by Genl Wayne, & the Canadians in conjuction with the Indians; scarce a day passess but some story of this sort is buffeted about, to keep the mind in agitation, or to answer some stock jobing purpose—and yet, if a war should take place between us—not the hundredth part of this people would know the cause or the occasion— It is certain to me, that they never make the enquiry upon any occasion—whether right or wrong, is not a matter that seems to concern them? Why should it? The Government under which they live appears to be essential to their happiness, and if in need of support or defence it must & will have it—

Yet the Administration appear to have terrors and apprehensions, which are real, or they are merely fictitious, and are to be used as the signals of destruction to some of the most obnoxious characters in this Kingdom. Under an accusation of Treason several persons are now in confinement; Bills of Indictment have been found against them & their trials are shortly to come on; among others is the celebrated Horne Tooke—3

Mr Jay’s negotiations are much the subject of conversation; what he has done, or is likely to effect is as little known here, as in America— I have heared but one sentiment expressed upon the subject by the people I have seen; it is, that the dispute may be amicably adjusted; the expectation however of the sudden accomplishment of so vast an object, is not so sanguine here, as with you— Diplomatic delay is perhaps better understood. Mr Jay is rather indisposed by a Rheumatic affection in his head; he is better at present, than we found him upon our arrival—

At present I can only add that I am in all / duty & affection / Your Son

A Passage of 28 days, landed me & my fellow Passengers safe on the shore of England— Our desire was to be put on shore at Dover, but the tide being against us from the place where the Vessel came to, we were obliged to put in to Deal; a little swindling village a few miles above Dover; here we landed, & asif we had been made of Gold or something more precious, the people were crouding round us by dozens. I assumed an aspect as ferocious & forbiding as I was able, but it neither prevented their officiousness, nor disconcerted their most disinterested civility. I had prepared Whitcomb for the reception, by all the previous instruction within my knowledge, and I believe he was fully persuaded, that every man he saw was a Knave, and not to be trusted out of ones sight, nor in it. I gave him the Counter sign, & he let go the end of a Trunk which a sturdy Porter was attempting to take up, & which would have cost some trouble but for the sign. Whitcomb was sick most of the Voyage, & was not only useless, but an incumbrance; you informed me of one complaint which I found very prevalent at Sea; and your specific for it was the only thing forgotten; I trusted to you or Dr: Welsh to have it put up; but neither our private medeine chest, nor that belonging to the Vessel contained it. A spoonful of Castor Oil would have prevented many bad effects, which other medicines did not for a 238 longtime relieve— we all found ourselves tollerably well upon arrival; indeed I was really Sea sick but about 12 or 20 hours, & that on the second day. The weather for the most part was pleasant enough; sometimes a little blustering but as it was usually fair, it was perhaps better to have too much, than too little—

Since my arrival here, I have scarcely been able to transact any business; when the novelty of the scene shall be passed, I hope to rally my scattered senses, round the standard of reason & moderation once more. At present, were I to attempt a description of the different impressions I have received, my language must partake of the incoherence of my ideas; wandering as a dream, & more rapid in succession, a detail at present might bear a nearer resemblance to a real reverie, than afford a true sketch of occurrences.

For the movement of the political waters, I must refer to what I have written to my Father.1 It is a small portion only, of the news of the day, & very hastily, drawn. We are waiting for the return of the Mail from Holland to learn the real state of affairs in that Country, and what we are to expect upon our arrival there— The general apprehension here seems to be that the ruling powers of Holland will negotiate the most favorable terms with the French, they can; but it scarce admits a doubt, that the French will be able in a short time to impose what terms they please. It will not be a pleasant thing to reside in that Country at this period; but since the death of Robespiere the system of the French is said to be less sanguinary, & should they even overrun Holland during our residence, we may chance to escape molestation.2 In the course of a week from this time, we expect to take our departure from London.

Mr: Jay we found somewhat indisposed, but he has recovered so far as to go out— He is treated with a vast deal of respect & attention. A War with America, is the subject of conversation, but the universal wish so far as I have heared seems to be for peace & amity— The French are & have been successful, beyond all calculation for four months past.

I cannot omit to mention the Civility of Mr. Dickason & his family;—every attention has been shewn us by them within their power.3 In the procurement of our Bagage we have received every assistance. Mr. Vaughan, Mr Bird, and in short every person to whom we have been introduced, have discovered a disposition to serve us, much beyond my expectations.4 I shall certainly be ennamored with the hospitality of this people, whatever drawback may arise from other sources—

I wish to say a thousand things more, but for the present must content myself with subscribing